THE LAST GLADIATOR by Daniel Ottalini

Hey guys! Today I'm sharing Daniel Ottalini's new novella from his Steam Empire Chronicles The Last Gladiator. If you haven't read any of his books before, they are a steampunk take on the Roman Era and are super cool!

What makes a gladiator? Brawn? Showmanship? Skill? Heart? 

For Lucia Rhodanus Fortem, the arena is a ticket to fame, fortune, and belonging. 

But the long familiar arena is changing, and gladiators are, quite literally, a dying breed. Their replacements – Mechagladiators – piloted constructs made of the best Roman technology, stand ready to take their place on the hard packed dirt of the Coliseum.

What human can stand against the tide of progress? Who dares face down a mechanical beast? How can the power of human connection forge a bond stronger than steel?

The last gladiator in Rome faces the toughest challenge of all in this prequel novella for the Steam Empire Chronicles, Daniel Ottalini’s Roman Alternate History World.

If you like Gladiator combat, class struggle, Roman history, alternative history, and love in a time of conflict, these books are for you!

Purchase Links

Smashwords

Nook

Kindle

If you haven't read these books yet, the first is the series, Brass Legionnaire is free right now on Smashwords so grab a copy HERE

Other Links

Author Blog

Official Steam Empire Website

Goodreads Author Page

Interview with Author Daniel Ottalini

I once again welcome Daniel Ottalini back to my blog with the release of the newest book in his Steam Empire Chronicles!

Emperor Hadrian Appius is dead, and the man responsible is his own brother. Unable to prevent the assassination in IRON TRIBUNE, Senatora Octavia and her allies flee Rome, leaving the smoldering capital behind them, determined to fight on against their rebellious countrymen. In the east, rightful heir-to-the-throne Constantine Appius faces disaster at every turn, his forces stretched thin against invading Mongols and rebel Romans alike. With the help of new friends and old, a desperate plan is formed. But will it be enough to save the Empire and the throne in STEEL PRAETORIAN?

Interview

Steel Praetorian is the fourth book in the Steam Empire Chronicles a Roman Steampunk adventure series. Tell us a little about the series and the world for new readers.

In short, The Steam Empire Chronicles is a series all about the ‘what if’ factor of the Roman Empire - What if it had survived? What would it be like? Imagine the world without the Dark Ages? Without the Crusades? I explore this possibility in the series, starting with Brass Legionnaire. The series starts small, but quickly branches out with new characters, new plot lines, and new locales in subsequent novels!

What is the best part about writing an alternate historical story and what are some challenges?

Oh wow. I love reading about Alternate History, and writing about it is nearly as much fun. It’s fun because you can take so many real elements and tweak them just so, creating something entirely new.

Biggest challenge? Making that something new also something believable. The best alternate history writers are perfect at doing this. Your tweaks don’t need to be massive to have massive changes to history.

Who is your favorite character to write, and who is one that gives you problems?

Hmmm. My favorite character to write is actually Corbus, because his motives start very basic and pure (if not good intentioned) but get complicated very quickly. His progression from basic villain to arch villain to someone inhabiting a very dark grey zone between the other characters has been incredibly interesting to watch!

Right now, the hardest character to write is actually Julius, because while I have a great track of where he’s going/planning, it’s hard to make it fit into the flow of the story. Julius was, and still is, the main ‘introducer’ to the world. He’s the one who explains crazy things to us. In some way, I feel guilty that he’s gotten so complex it’s hard to write from his point of view!

What are you working on next?

Right now, I’m working on Laurel Emperor, the final novel in the Steam Empire Chronicles. I’m roughly 35 thousand words into the novel, so I’m a little over a third of the way through the book. I’ve been brainstorming some ideas to fill in some voids in the series using novellas. Eventually I’d love to create an anthology and get it into print!

What was your favorite book that you read this year?

Hmmm too many! If required to narrow it down, I’d say that I really enjoyed a book called the Sword of Summer, by Rick Riordan of Percy Jackson fame. Riordan writes great books, perfect for a lazy afternoon.

What book or movie release are you most looking forward to next year?

Was looking forward to Star Wars (which is this December, not next year) but I’m actually really looking forward to seeing the movie Dunkirk. Not only for it’s alternate history opportunities (imagine how the war would have gone if the Germans hadn’t stopped their tanks!) but also because all those scenes provide such great inspiration for writing.

What would you say to people who haven’t yet started the Steam Empire Chronicles to get them to try it out?

I mean, Romans with Airships, what more could you want?

But seriously, the novels grow in complexity, excitement, and intensity as we hurtle towards the last novel. My latest book, Steel Praetorian, was just released. You can grab Brass Legionnaire for only $1.99 in ebook form, so why not give it a try!

Check out more info on the Steam Empire books from Daniel’s Blog danielottalini.com and follow him on his facebook/twitter accounts

Links for Steel Praetorian

Amazon,

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

And Here's the links to Brass Legionnaire to start off the series!

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Tour stop and Character Interview for Daniel Ottalini's New Novel!

Hi everyone! I'm excited to be hosting a tour stop today for Daniel Ottalini introducing his brand new novel in the Steam Empire Chronicles, Copper Centurion, which was just released on the 1st.

Rome Seeks Vengeance 

In his Award Winning Debut Novel Brass Legionnaire, author Daniel Ottalini introduced us to the world of Roman Steampunk as Julius Brutus Caesar and his royal commanding officer Constantine Appius fought to save the city of Brittenburg from total devastation. Now, Rome looks to avenge the actions of the Nortlanders and invades the north. But saddled with political oversight, inept leadership and a resourcefully cunning enemy, the expedition walks a fine line between glory and destruction. With their technology failing, it will be down to swords and shields in the next novel of the Steam Empire Chronicles, Copper Centurion.


I've also conducted an interview with one of the characters from the books, Constantine, who is not only next in line for the throne, but a commander in the imperial army.

Salve, Constantine! Glad to have you on my blog today. Tell the readers who might not know you a little about yourself.

Well by day I’m your average Roman Tribune, commanding officer of the 13^th cohort, XIII Germania Legion. By night I’m a supremely dashing heir to the throne, but cool in a mysterious way… Hah, I figured that would get you. (Chuckles) Yes to both the tribune part and the heir to the throne part, but I suppose you could get rid of the dashing part.

What has life been like for you since the Battle of Brittenburg?

Well after recovering from my wounds, I was able to rejoin my men. It’s good to be back with them. Lots of new faces coming in though, the cohort really took a beating in Brittenburg. Holding down the governor’s palace for a whole night against a Nortlander backed mob was a pretty bloody affair. And now we’re headed north to give those barbarian scum a lesson they won’t soon forget. (pauses a moment)

That reminds me, I’ll have to pack my cold weather gear. It’s winter time up there eight months of the year, I’ve heard.

What is it like being an heir to the throne and commanding an army at the same time?

By the gods, do you have any clue how many fricking expectations are dumped upon me? Especially since my brother managed to get himself killed last year. Now I get two jobs with just the pay of one. Not that I want that other job yet, mind you. Thank goodness I’m not in charge of the army, managing my cohort is tricky enough. And as far as I’m concerned, I really don’t like to use my imperial authority out here. If I can’t be respected for what I’ve done, then I surely won’t gain respect for shoving an imperial seal in their face

What are your thoughts on airships? Have you gotten to ride in one?

As always, I love riding in airships. Of course, our airships are more like our ‘wet’ navy ships, in that they look similar, just missing the giant balloon! I’ve learned a lot about airships, mostly how to fight on them. And believe me, those things are not as sturdy as they may appear…

Are you more inclined to have faith in powerful machines on the battlefield or the common soldiers?

A machine is just a machine. Without a human behind it, it cannot do anything. The greatest problems to our world come from the mind of man, not the arm of machines. A smart soldier can always outwit a powerful machine.

Can you share a little with readers about what they can expect in Copper Centurion?

Well, as the expedition is currently classified by my superiors, I suppose I can’t really say much, other than to hint that a certain assassin makes an appearance, an unexpected person reappears, and we all freeze our behinds off in the cold lands of Nortland. Then there’s the usual – airship boarding battles, mechaniphants and mechwolves, ambushes, espionage, a traitorous leader and more.

Now for a little gossip. Anything readers should know about you and Senatora Pelia?

No. (Icy stare) My…private…life… is none of your concern. She would be outraged to hear you asking me about it. She is a senator after all. And a shoe-in for the leadership of the new Army Medical Corps, and….

I’ve said too much (blushes).

What do you think the future will bring for you and the others?

Well with the northern front dealt with for the time being, I’m hopeful that we can get some R&R time. We need to refit and retrain some of the new men, and perhaps I can sneak in a trip to the capital. It’s been a while since I’ve been back.

Thanks so much for letting me interview you, Constantine!

The pleasure was all mine, domina.

Purchase Links:

Copper Centurion

Brass Legionnaire (Book One)

Smashwords

Daniel Ottalini is a teacher, author, amateur historian who was raised by both the History & Discovery Channel. His parents are very proud of decision to write about alternate history, in hopes that he will stop bothering them about it. His second novel, Copper Centurion, is available in both ebook and print versions. You can learn more about him at www.danielottalini.com or follow him on twitter @dottalini.